Gable –The triangular end of a pitched roof, or the triangular upper part of the gable wall. Hip – The edge of a hipped roof that runs from the ridge to the eaves. It is formed when two sloping surfaces intersect. Eaves – This is the lower edge of the roof surface that overhangs the walls. Soffit – This is the underside of the eaves that is fi xed to the back of the fascia and the wall. It forms an enclosed element all around the building. Ridge – This is the uppermost line of the roof and is formed at the intersection of two sloping surfaces. Valley – This is the line formed at the internal intersection of two sloping surfaces. It runs from the ridge to the eaves. Verge – This is the underside surface of the eaves and the soffi t of a gable roof which overhangs the gable wall.

1. Roof Components
Barge
board
Verge
Common rafter
Valley rafter Ridge board
Jack or cripple rafter
Hip rafter
Hip jack rafter
Hip end
Fascia
Soffit
Gable end

2. Elements of a roof
• Gable –The triangular end of a pitched roof, or the triangular upper part of the
gable wall.
• Hip – The edge of a hipped roof that runs from the ridge to the eaves. It is
formed when two sloping surfaces intersect.
• Eaves – This is the lower edge of the roof surface that overhangs the walls.
• Soffit – This is the underside of the eaves that is fi xed to the back of the
fascia and the wall. It forms an enclosed element all around the building.
• Ridge – This is the uppermost line of the roof and is formed at the intersection
of two sloping surfaces.
• Valley – This is the line formed at the internal intersection of two sloping
surfaces. It runs from the ridge to the eaves.
• Verge – This is the underside surface of the eaves and the soffi t of a gable
roof which overhangs the gable wall.

3. Elements of a roof
• Wall plates – The timber component which sits upon the top of the walls of a building and to
which the foot of the roof rafters are fixed
• Fascia board – A vertical timber or plastic trim which is fixed to the feet of the rafters
and, along with the soffit, encloses the eaves
• Soffit board – A timber or plastic trim which is horizontally fixed to the underside of the
rafters and which, along with the fascia encloses the eaves
• Barge board – A vertical timber or plastic trim which is fixed to the face of the last
common
rafter at the end of a gable roof
• Common rafter – A rafter that runs from the ridge to the wall plate
• Jack or cripple rafters – These are short rafters that run from the hip rafter to the wall
plate. These short rafters form the lower portion of a valley or hip.
• Hip rafter – This is the main rafter of hip roof. It is to this rafter that all jack or cripple
rafters are fixed to form the hip.
• Gable ladder – This is a framework comprising two common rafters and noggins. The noggins
and the rafters form a ladder frame which is built into the top of the gable wall and
extends beyond the gable wall to form the gable eaves and to which the barge board is
fixed.

4. Elements of a roof
• Purlin – This is a strong, large sectioned timber member which, is fixed to the
common rafters midway between the ridge and the wall plate and runs parallel to
the wall and the ridge. On gable roofs, the ends of the purlin are built into the
gable walls. This component gives added strength to the roof structure and
allows heavier roof coverings to be used.
• Joist hangers – These are metal hangers by which ceiling joists are fixed to the
wall plate, or they may be built into the supporting walls.
• Ceiling joists – These are timber components which span from wall to wall and to
which the ceiling covering is fixed.
• Roof binder – These are horizontal timber components which span from wall to
wall and which are fixed to the feet of common and jack rafters.
• Roof struts – These are angled components which are fixed to the common
rafters and roof ties. The strut is usually fixed at right angles to the common
rafter to offer greater strength.
• Roof hangers – Hangers are vertical timber components similar in size and cross
section to a common rafter and are fixed to the top of the common rafter close
to the ridge and the ceiling joist or roof binders.